Loose-leaf-ledger binder.



Patented July I, I902.

H. H. HOFFMANN.

LOOSE LEAF LEDGER BINDER.

(Application filed May 21, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet L (No Model.)

No. 703,922. Patented July I, I902,

H. H. HUFFMANN.

LOOSE LEAF LEDGER BINDER. (Application filed May 21, 1901.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

31 Emma/36% 5mm v .11 THE scams PETERS co wmaumo.,wnsm-omm n UNITED STATES PACEENST OFFICE.

HERMANN HENRY HOFFMANN, OF.OHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LCOSE-LEAF-LEDG ER BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 703,922, dated July 1, 1902.

Application filed May 21, 1901. fierial No. 611325. (No model.)

To aZZ whont it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN HENRY Horn- MANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inLoose-Leaf-Ledger Binders, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the class of loose-leaf-ledger binders shown in my Patent No. 568,251, dated September22, 1896. T a

The objects of the invention are to, provide an improved locking device capable of holding the leaves more firmly in the binder and at thesame time allowing of an instantaneous opening and closing of the binder, to provide' a stronger construction of the binder proper, to provide a locking mechanism capable ofapplying the final clamping-pressure to the leaves after the binder has been given its initial clamping by hand-pressure. These objects I accomplish by the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective of a loose-leaf ledger having my improved binder applied. Fig. 2 is afront perspective of the binder removed. Fig. 3 is a transverse longitudinal section thereof. Fig. i is a side elevation of the locking mechanism with parts broken away. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 5 5, Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of parts of the locking mechanism, and Fig. 8 shows one of the leaves.

A and B designate the upper and lower covers, hinged at their rear edges to the adjacent edges of the upper and lower bindersections 0 D in any suitable manner, said binder-sections serving as the ledger-back, in which are clamped the loose leaves E.

The binder-sections G D are formed of two L-shaped metal plates, having their vertical longitudinalflanges c d overlapped and with the end edges d of the section D bent around and inclosing the end edges cof the sections 0, sothat a telescopic or sliding connection is established between the two sections.

The ends of the binder are each closed by two vertically-disposed L-shaped telescopic end posts or pieces 0 d also formed of metal, the post-sections 0 being riveted at their upperends to the under sides ofthe ends of the horizontal flange c of the upper section 0 or to a'strengthening-plate c riveted to said 61 being similarly affixed to the horizontal strengthening-plate d riveted thereto. The flanges c d at the forward edges of the posts 0 d project inwardlypso that the end projections 6 onthe leaves E may engage therewith, as shown in Fig. 1, and the flanges d are at their free edges bent around the corresponding edges of the flanges so that the two binder-sections will be firmly held together against accidental displacement, while being allowed a free movement one upon the other to clamp the leaves between them or release them. I Q

The two binder -se apart by the rods or plungers F F, secured to the section 0 and projecting into the tubes F F, secured to the sections D and containing spiral springs f, which are compressed when the binder-sections are forced together, and these springs quickly force the bindersections apart at the instant'the locking mechanism is released, as will now appear.

G represents the telescopic lock casing, formed of the tubular upper member G, secured at its upper end to the upper binder-section 0, and the lower tubular section G secured at its lower end to the lower section D. These casing-sections are formed of sheet metal and are U -shaped in cross-section, their rear opensides lying next to the back of the binder proper. The side walls of the upper casing members G are slotted from their lower edges upward to straddle the guide-ribs g on the outer sides of the lower casing member G these ribs being, in fact, formed of the strips removed from the upper members in forming the said slots. Within the upper member of the lock-casing is swiveled the locking-screw II, this being effected by mounting the upper unthreaded end of said screw in a bearing h, fixed in the casing, and this unthreaded end of the screw is provided with a keyhole or slot 71/, exposed through a round opening in the middle of the horizontal flange of the upper binder-section O, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This screw I-I extends into the lower member G where it is engaged by a pawl and releasflange d of the lower binder-section or to a ctions O Dare forced.

flange, and the lower ends of the post-sections ing mechanism I, which serves to lock the parts in their adjusted position in addition to serving as a nut in drawing the casing members together upon rotating the screw in the proper direction. The ends 77, of the screw are beveled on their lower sides, so as to serve as ratchet-teeth when it is desired to press the upper binder-section 0 down upon the leaves,

the teeth slipping past the nut-forming pawl I and at the same time being engaged thereby on their upper sides to prevent any up-' ward or return movement of the bolt, so that when the ledger-leaves are compressed ini tially in this manner the screw may then be rotated to the right to still further draw the binder-sections together upon them.

The pawl and releasing mechanism comprises a U-shaped nut-forming pawl I, pivoted at its upper ends in the upper end of the lower case member Gr behind the screw H, so

that its lower end may be swung into engagement therewith, the edge 2' of the pawl being shaped concave to embrace the screw and properly beveled or inclined to engage the screw and serve both as a pawl and a nut, as

follows: When the screw H is forced inwardly, the beveled sides of its threads it will in descending force the pawl I outwardly against the action of its spring I", to be presently described, and then the spring will snap the pawl back again over the upper abrupt sides of the threads. In other words, a pawl-andratchet action willbe had. Then when parts are compressed as far as possible by hand the screw may be rotated to the right by its key, whereupon pawl I will act as a nut, and so the screw will draw the two binder-sections together andapply the final pressure to the leaves.

, In order that a quick release of the bindersections may be had, I provide the lower end of the pawl I with a releasing-dog 1 which is pivoted thereto, as shown at '5 to rock in a direction at right angles to the movement of the pawl, and provided next to the screw with a tooth i to engage any one of a plurality of longitudinal grooves it cut in the bolt and interrupting the threads thereof. The ends of the screw-threads at one side of these grooves are inclined, so that when the screw is turned to the right the tooth of the dog will ride up and pass them without acting on pawl I; but the ends of the threads h at the opposite sides of these grooves h are abrupt, so that when the screw is rotated to the left the said abrupt thread ends or groove-wall will engage the tooth of the dog 1 and rock the dog, so that it will press against its pivot 2' and in turn press the pawl I out of engagement with the screw. At this instant the springs ff will expand and force the bindersections suddenly apart. The dog I is further provided with a heel projection t which limits its movement in one direction by engaging the'adjacent wall of the casing.

The spring I is pivoted at its lower end on the cross-pin v1 passes upwardly under a removable tension-pin 1L, and at its free end bears on the rear straight edge of the dog 1 thus allowing a yielding movement to the dog, also serving as the spring for the nutforming pawl I. By removing the tensionpin t the spring-and-pawl mechanism may be swung out or removed for repair, &c., their pivot-pins being also removable.

The operation,briefly restated,is as follows: The ledger-leaves E are placed in the binder and the top section 0 pressed down by hand as far as possible, the screw and its pawl operating as a ratchet and pawl and allowing of a quick closing movement. The final pressure to the sheets is applied by turning the screw to the right, at which time its pawl serves as a nut, and so the screw and pawl act at this time like a bolt and nut in drawing the binder-sections together. In thus turning the screw to the right the releasing-dog is not placed under any strain and exerts no influence on the pawl. When it is desired to open the binder and release the sheets for removal and replacement, it is simply necessary to.

give the screw a quarter-turn to the left,when the tooth of the dog I will snap into a groove 7%, and then by a slight further movement of the screw in the same direction the dog will lift the pawl out of engagement with the screw, whereupon the springs f will suddenly open the binder. It will be seen that the key need only be used in applying the final pressure to the binder and in giving the screw the quarter-turn to the left. Moreover, only one keyhole is required instead of two, as in my former construction, and a single screw takes the place of the two racks and their gearing.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I 1. The combination, with binder-sections movable toward and from each other to clamp the sheets or leaves between them and release the same respectively, of a rotary ratchet forming screw, mounted on one section, and

a nut-forming pawl mounted on the other section in engagement with the screw-threads, whereby a quick closing may be had and thereafter a final screw-and-nut compression;

substantially as described.

2. The vcombination, with binder-sections, movable toward and from each other to clamp the sheets orleaves between them and release the same respectively, of a rotary ratchetby one wall of the groove, upon areverse turn of the screw, to disengage the pawl from said screw to allow of a quick opening of the binder; substantially as described.

4. The combination, with binder-sections movable toward and from each other, and springs to force the binder-sections apart, of a rotary ratchet-forming screw mounted on one binder-section and provided with longitudinal grooves, a nut-forming pawl mounted on the other binder-section in engagement with said screw, and a releasing-dog having a tooth to enter a groove in said screw, and by a reverse movement of the latter throw the pawl out of engagement with said screw, whereupon the springs will suddenly force the binder-sections apart; substantially as described.

5. The combination with the binder-sections movable toward and from each other, telescopic rods and tubes mounted on the respective binder-sections, springs in said tubes pressing the said rods or plungers outwardly, of a telescopic tubular lock-case having its members connected at their opposite ends to the respective binder-sections, a rotary ratchet-forming screw swiveled at .its outer end in one case member, and provided with longitudinal grooves, a nut-forming pawl pivoted in the other casing member, and engaging said screw, a releasing-dog pivoted to the lower end of the pawl and having atooth engaging the screw for operation by a reverse movement thereof, to release the pawl, and a spring pressing the dog and the pawl toward the screw; substantially as described.

6. A binder comprising upper and lower sections formed of angle-plates overlapped at their back flanges to slide one upon the other, the vertical end edges of the lower back flange being bent around and inclosing the corresponding edges of the upper back flange, telescopic angular end posts connected at their ends to the horizontal flanges of the binder-sections to slide therewith, the vertical edges of the inwardly-projecting flanges of the lower post members being bent around the corresponding edges of the upper post members, and means for locking the bindersections together; substantially as described.

7. A locking and releasing mechanism for binders comprising a telescopic case, a rotary ratchet-forming screw swiveled in one memberof the case, a nut-forming pawl in the other case member and engaging the screw, and means for disengaging the pawl from the screw upon reversing the rotation thereof; substantially as described.

8. A locking and releasing mechanism for binders comprising a telescopic case, a rotary, longitudinallygrooved, ratchet forming screw swiveled in one member of the case, a nut-forming pawl pivoted in the other case member, and engaging the said screw, a pawlreleasingdogpivotedtothesaidpawl to engage the screw-groove and by a reverse movement of the screw throw the pawl away from the screw; substantially as described.

9. A locking and releasing. mechanism for binders comprising atelescopic case, arotary, longitudinally grooved, ratchet forming screw swiveled in one member of the case, a nut-forming pawl pivoted in the other case member, and engaging the said screw, a pawlreleasing dog pivoted to the said pawl to engage the screw-groove and by a reverse movement of the screw throw the pawl away from the screw, and a plate-spring bearing at its free end on the rear edge of the dog and throwing it and the pawl toward the screw; substantially as described.

10. A locking and releasing mechanism for binders, comprising a telescopic case formed of two tubular members formed respectively with longitudinally-extending guide-slots and ribs, a rotary, ratchet-forming screw swiveled in one member of the case, a nut-forming pawl in the other case member, and engaging the screw, and means for disengaging the pawl from the screw upon reversing the rotation thereof; substantially as described. 11. The combination with binder-sections, movable toward and from each other to clamp the sheets or leaves between them and release the same respectively, of a locking mechanism including a ratchet device upon one section and a ratchet-engaging device on the other section, whereby a quick closing may be had, and means for imparting to the looking mechanism a final compression, and means whereby when the locking mechanism is released, the parts are separated quickly; substantially as described.

12. The combination with binder-sections movable toward and from each other to clamp the sheets or leaves between them and release the same respectively, of a locking mechan ism including a rotary ratchet-forming screw mounted on one section, and means mounted on the other section forengaging the screwthreads of the ratchet-forming screw,whereby a quick closing may be had and thereafter a final screw compression; substantially as described.

13. The combination with the L-shaped" or angular binder-sections, having overlapping sliding back pieces, one of which has its end edges bent around to inclose the end edges of the other section, whereby a telescopic or sliding connection is established between the two sections, and a locking mechanism; substantially as described.

In testimony. whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HERMANN HENRY HOFFMANN.

Witnesses:

J IRA OoLLINs, CARRIE E. BOLTON. 

